Optical polarimetry of the Crab and Vela pulsars

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Time-resolved polarisation measurements of pulsars offer a unique insight into the geometry of the pulsar emission region. Such measurements provide observational constraints on the different models proposed for the pulsar emission mechanism. Optical polarisation data sets of the Crab and Vela nebulae were obtained from MAST. The data composes of a series of observations of each nebula taken with the HST/ACS. Polarisation vector maps of each nebula were produced using the polarimetry software IMPOL. Lastly, the degree of linear polarisation and the position angle of each pulsars' integrated pulse beam were measured. For the Crab pulsar: P.D.=4.90±0.33% and P.A.=105.97±2.00°. Synchrotron knot: P.D.=61.70±0.72% and P.A.=126.86±0.23°. Vela pulsar: P.D.=9.23±1.03% and P.A.=165.92±3.61°.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationElectromagnetic Radiation from Pulsars and Magnetars
Publisher Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Pages215-218
Number of pages4
Volume466
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
EventProceedings of a Conference held at University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland, 24-27 April 2012. San Francisco: Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2012., p.215 - Zielona Góra, Poland
Duration: 24 Apr 201227 Apr 2012

Publication series

NameASP Conference Series

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of a Conference held at University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland, 24-27 April 2012. San Francisco: Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2012., p.215
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityZielona Góra
Period24/04/1227/04/12

Keywords

  • pulsars

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